Austin Family of Montgomery and Union Counties, NC

William Austin was born about 1700 in Ireland, and died about 1770 in Southampton Co. VA. The date of his immigration is unknown. His wife's name was Ruth. Austins in America 1990, page 356, refers to Southampton Co. Wills and Administrations, book II, 1775-1800

Second Generation

Note: Austin researchers are uncertain whether John or Richard is the father of the children listed here. A family Bible belonging to Charles Austin refers to his nephews Bryant, Michael and Richard but does not make clear who their father was.

From Austins in America, August 1990, page 357: Bryant Austin "settled on Rocky River in what is now Stanly County [NC], just above Coble Mill. He lived there during the Revolutionary War and was among the Regulators who Governor Tryon refused to pardon. Bryant fled from Hillsboro and settled in the wilds of what is now Stanly County. Tryon's officers went to his house to arrest him, he offered them a barrel of brandy into their cart if they would go on and say nothing about him. They backed their cart up to his cellar door and he rolled the barrel of brandy into their cart and they went on their way rejoicing, and left him to be the ancestor of a large and influential family." Austins in America, August 1990, page 357.

Although later records give Josiah's birthdate as 17 Oct 1859, he does not appear in the 1860 census. Lemuel is age 2 in 1860 and is not present in 1870.

The 1870 census lists two Austin girls, Frances age 13 and Nancy age 11. Since neither of these children are part of the family in 1860, I suspect they are Margaret's children from a previous marriage.

Thanks to Cynthia Porcher for my initial information on this family. I have supplemented this with data from the Austin Families site, and from my own searches of census and other records. Additions and corrections are welcome.